Caithness man gives two Highland mental health charities a boost in the run-up to Christmas
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Stuart Swanson, who undertook a charity cycle from Caithness to Kyleakin in memory of his late wife Marina, presented the charities, Mikeysline and Listening Ear Caithness, with cheques for £7000 each at Thurso’s Stepping Stones on Friday.
The cheques were received by Donna Murray from Mikeysline, and Gail Brown from Listening Ear Caithness, who provide emotional and peer group support across the county.
Stuart said: "It was a sponsored run from my home over to Skye at the end of July. I made a JustGiving page and it was amazing how the money came in so quickly." Stuart said that activities like cycling can help elevate the mood and recommends it for anyone struggling with their mental health.
Julie Marker, service manager for Listening Ear Caithness said: "We are tremendously grateful to Stuart for his donation. Through his efforts we can help even more people through difficult times. We work hard to let people in our community know that we are here for them when they are struggling. We really appreciate the donation but also the opportunity to raise awareness of what we do.
"Through our peer-to-peer support groups, individuals have access to our trained, confidential Listeners – also known as project officers. This support helps people to feel less isolated when depressed, grieving, feeling lonely or going through relationship difficulties.
"They also have opportunities to make friends, support each other and provide real connection, which is so important to us all. So many charities find it difficult to raise funds to deliver their services so we are humbled to be chosen along with Mikeysline to be recipients of Stuart's fundraising effort."
Emily Stokes, CEO at Mikeysline, said: "We are so grateful to Stuart for his amazing efforts in raising awareness and funds in memory of his wife, Marina, for Mikeysline as well as for Listening Ear.
"We will use these funds to increase the awareness and provision of the support that we can provide to both adults and young people across the Highland area, with a particular focus on areas where there are limited support options. Thank you from everyone at Mikeysline, Stuart, and to everyone who supported you and in turn the two local mental health and suicide prevention charities."
Further information on Mikeysline and Listening Ear can be found on their respective Facebook pages at @Mikeysline and @ListeningEarCaithness. Donations are gratefully received by both charities and can be made at www.mikeysline.co.uk/ or by emailing julie@cvg.org.uk at Listening Ear Caithness.
